Asyraf said this approach was proven to be effective in the Nenggiri by-election, where BN candidate Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani defeated Perikatan Nasional rival Rizwadi Ismail by a majority of 3,352 votes.

“Our approach for Mahkota will be to personally engage with each voter, and avoid public and mega rallies. We aim to connect with voters directly, regardless of race, by knocking on every door,” he told reporters at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur this morning.

“What was notable in Nenggiri was that we organised (small-scale) programmes with 30 to 40 attendees at the homes of PAS voters, where they invited their own families.”

He said the Mahkota by-election, to be held on Sept 28, will feature full engagement from the unity government’s machinery, given the electorate’s diverse demographics.

According to 2022 data from the Election Commission, the Mahkota state constituency has 65,074 eligible voters, 54.51% of whom are Malays, 34.52% Chinese, 7.72% Indians, and 2.69% others.

On Kluang Amanah’s claim to the Mahkota seat, Asyraf said “there is no issue” anymore as the Pakatan Harapan leadership has decided not to field a candidate and will instead support BN.

“While there may be discussions at the grassroots level, the (top) leadership upholds mutual respect,” he said.

“For the Simpang Jeram and Pulai by-elections, we went down to the ground (to help PH) as if we were contesting ourselves.”

Yesterday, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said his coalition has chosen a candidate for the Mahkota seat and will reveal the name after next week’s unity government secretariat meeting.

The by-election follows the death of Umno assemblyman Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain on Aug 2 while receiving treatment in hospital for internal bleeding.

Nominations for the Mahkota by-election will be held on Sept 14 and early voting on Sept 24.